Entertainment Technology News

(Billerica, Massachusetts) Broadcast Pix™ announces the Slate 5000 integrated production system is the cornerstone of a complete HD studio upgrade for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication (JOMC). One of two television studios in Carroll Hall, the JOMC facility on campus, the updated area is mainly used for Carolina Week, a live news show that is produced twice a week for students by students.

According to Terry Hill, JOMC television and emerging media engineering manager, the Slate 5000 with Fluent workflow tools is a big step forward from the Sony DFS-700 digital production switcher it replaced. “It’s a lot of capability in one box, with 2 M/E and the ability to do multi-layer CG and clip stores,” he said. “It’s a very powerful switcher in a small box. You get a lot of bang for the buck.”

Hill first saw a Broadcast Pix system in action at WRAL, the local CBS affiliate serving the Raleigh-Durham market. He said the students have been quick to embrace the Slate 5000, and its ease of use allows them to focus on the creative aspects of producing a live newscast.

“The new switcher gives us the opportunity to be both more precise and more sophisticated with our news programs,” said C.A. Tuggle, JOMC professor and director of the journalism program. “Our students have really taken to the new system, and we think it will be an important component in our efforts to remain near the top of broadcast journalism programs in the country.”

Beck Associates of Austin, Texas, was the integrator on the studio upgrade, which was completed in August. The HD renovation also included Sony PMW-EX3 cameras, Soundcraft audio console, and Bitcentral Precis news production system. Students use Final Cut Pro for editing news packages and other projects.

Bumps, stingers, and other materials for Carolina Week are accessed directly through the Slate’s built-in Fluent clip store, and the built-in Inscriber HD CG is part of every broadcast as well. Hill also appreciates the Slate’s Fluent multi-view capability, which helped save money in the upgraded control room because it limited the need for new monitors. “Multi-view is here,” he said, “and the more you can take advantage of that, the more economical it is.” Clips and graphics can be sent to Slate from other parts of the studio with Fluent Watch-Folders.

In addition, the school takes advantage of the Slate 5000’s multiple outputs in a unique way to support its teaching objectives. Two outputs provide multi-view monitoring to two 52-inch LCD monitors in the control room, while a third feeds a program monitor in the studio. However, another output is fed to an LCD screen in the newsroom along with the live IFB audio feed, so JOMC students can monitor the interaction between the technical director and talent during the production.

“It helps with the learning curve,” Hill explained. “When they do step up and start learning some of the positions, they’ll be able to understand what’s expected.”

Resources:

Broadcast Pix: www.broadcastpix.com

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